Dungog Shire Council v Attorney General of New South Wales [2024] FCA 166

Federal Court of Australia

Dungog Shire Council v Attorney General of New South Wales [2024] FCA 166 File number(s): NSD 1340 of 2020

Judgment of: BURLEY J

Date of judgment: 1 March 2024

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – non-claimant application for determination of native title – whether local council has power to bring application under s 61(1) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). NATIVE TITLE – non-claimant application for determination of native title – extinguishment – whether grant of land in 1823 valid and constitutes previous exclusive possession act – requirement for royal approbation of land grants greater than certain amount – whether approbation given – whether grant validated by subsequent Act purporting to validate prior land grants.

Legislation: Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 78B Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 13(1), 23B, 23B(2)(a), 23B(2)(c), 24FA, 61, 61(1), 81, 225, 253, Division 1 of Part 3 Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) Crown Land Management Act 2016 (NSW) ss 1.3, 1.5, 2.12, 3.1, 3.1(1), 3.1(3), 3.13, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.22(1), 3.22(4)(a), 3.22(4)(c), 4.9(4)(a), 4.9(11), 8.1, 8.4, 8.6, 8.7, 8.9, 8.10, Division 3.4, Division 8.3, Part 3, Part 8 Crown Lands Act 1989 (NSW) Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW) s 50 Land Grants Confirmation Act 1836 (NSW) (6 Gul IV No 16) Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) ss 21, 22, 23, 24, 219, 220, 220(1), 220(4) Native Title (New South Wales) Act 1994 (NSW) ss 3, 20, 104A Public Parks Act 1884 (NSW) (48 Vic No 22) New South Wales Act 1823 (Imp) (4 Geo IV c 96) New South Wales Constitution Act 1855 (Imp) (18 & 19 Vict c 54)